What has been done to fix the problem in Minamata? Was this the best solution to the problem?
In about 1959, in the month of July reaserchers found the cause of minamata disease, which was organic mercury.
The people had minamata disease because the fish were being contaminated with mercury poisoning. The fish were contaminated due to the amount of mercury being dumped into the bay by Chisso a chemical company.
Finally in 1968, Chisso had stopped discharging mercury, after they had dumped 27 tons of mercury, directly into the bay, over approximately 40 years. A landfill for the sludge had been made in 1977. The mercury waste was later covered up.
Later on, Kumamoto university made a declaration of safety for the Bay of Minamata which meant that the bay was no longer contaminated with mercury poisoning. This was the best solution to the problem, the bay now has a low degree of contamination and has a high water clarity, making Minamata bay one of the cleanest bays in Japan.
Minamata disease, in Japan still remains an important issue for the society. Those who have the disease from when it first started, are now 40 years old. These people have had to spend most of their time, in isolation away from society, while their parents who are in their seventies have had to take care of them because their parents and family are the only source of care.
What has been done to fix the problem in Minamata? Was this the best solution to the problem?
In about 1959, in the month of July reaserchers found the cause of minamata disease, which was organic mercury.
The people had minamata disease because the fish were being contaminated with mercury poisoning. The fish were contaminated due to the amount of mercury being dumped into the bay by Chisso a chemical company.
Finally in 1968, Chisso had stopped discharging mercury, after they had dumped 27 tons of mercury, directly into the bay, over approximately 40 years. A landfill for the sludge had been made in 1977. The mercury waste was later covered up.
Later on, Kumamoto university made a declaration of safety for the Bay of Minamata which meant that the bay was no longer contaminated with mercury poisoning. This was the best solution to the problem, the bay now has a low degree of contamination and has a high water clarity, making Minamata bay one of the cleanest bays in Japan.
Minamata disease, in Japan still remains an important issue for the society. Those who have the disease from when it first started, are now 40 years old. These people have had to spend most of their time, in isolation away from society, while their parents who are in their seventies have had to take care of them because their parents and family are the only source of care.
By: Stefani
Links:
8D Minamata front page
8D Minamata Q2
8D Minamata Q3
8D Minamata Q4
8D Minamata Q6
Bibliography:
www.minamata-tour.org
www.rarediseases.about.com